SMCS System Newsletter - 8/21/24
A note from Dan McKenna, President of St. Mary Catholic Schools
Nothing compares to the sense of hope and newness at the start of the new school year. Freshly waxed floors, boxes of unused crayons, and classrooms with enthusiastic teachers - all of these speak of endless possibility. The only thing missing is the energy of our young people - your children - as they make their way into a new adventure. They are the reason we are here.
This year at St. Mary Catholic Schools, you will hear us talk more about the Zephyr Way. It is a phrase we use to capture all of what it means to be a part of this community. It conveys our goal of being the very best, and it applies to all of us: students, teachers, staff, and parents. At its core, the Zephyr Way is a shared path that calls us to be responsible, be respectful, be kind, be joyful, and to believe. We are excited to walk together with you on this journey!
This school year promises to be exceptional. SMCS enrollment is growing, our teachers are fired up, and our faith remains at the center of all we do. Our goal is to be the best and we are doing it now.
Over the coming weeks,, you will be invited by division (e.g. elementary, middle, and high school) to join Zoom meetings with me and other SMCS administrators. We will discuss our shared vision for our Schools, and provide a forum to answer questions from participants on the calls.
Meanwhile, I invite you to reach out to me. My cell number is 512-987-1363. I am eager to hear your story and share with you more details about the Zephyr Way and our commitment to creating extraordinary educational experiences for your children at the best schools in Wisconsin.
God Bless and Go Zephyrs!
Dan
Fun-filled Fall event supports our extracurriculars *and* kicks off Homecoming week!
What could be better than a beautiful fall day with food, a Fun Run, kids' games, and entertainment? There's something for everyone at Zephyrs Connect! We invite people of all ages to join this open-air celebration at Zephyrs Fields on Sunday, September 29 from 2:00-6:00 pm. This year, Zephyrs Connect will lead right into the Homecoming pep rally, complete with Powderpuff football game, tug-o-war, and the "Lighting of the Z", all beginning at 6:00!
Schedule of Events
2:00 p.m. Registration/Check-in with Entertainment, Kids' Games, & Concessions
3:30 p.m. Kids' Fun Run
4:00 p.m. Fun Run/Walk
The Fun Run has divisions and distances by age / grade, concluding with the 5K Fun Run/Walk. Pre-registration for participants is greatly appreciated! Other attendees do not need to register. You can register at the link below or download the form.
Show your business or family support for the extraordinary extracurriculars at St. Mary Catholic Schools. There are very exciting new sponsorship opportunities this year! Contact Kathleen McCurdy, SMCS Director of Advancement, kmccurdy@smcatholicschools.org or 920-722-7796 x201
Saturday, November 2nd at The 513 in Downtown Appleton
What can you expect at All Aboard? Lots of laughter and Zephyrs spirit as we bring together parents, friends, and supporters of SMCS. This year's theme is "Masquerade Party". Play games, bid on silent auction items, and sign up for event boards to make more memories in the months ahead. The highlight of the night will be the first ever Zephyrs "Masked Singer" competition!
Zephyrs Connect on Sunday, September 29
All Aboard on Saturday, November 2
This casual event for adults has become a favorite way for the SMCS Community to grow as a "family of families". Held this year at The 513 in downtown Appleton, we'll have a magnificent "Masquerade Party". All proceeds go to SMCS operations, with an emphasis on special projects or particular needs.
ZCabaret on Friday, Jan. 31 & Saturday, Feb. 1
ZephyrFest on Saturday, May 3
STEM Saturday - Date TBD in Spring 2025
Greater Zephyrs Open on Monday, July 14
The GZO is the only fundraiser exclusively for all levels of SMCS athletics. Featuring a round at the beautiful Ridgeway Country Club, this golf scramble is for all ability levels, and is likely to sell out again in 2025. Together with exciting raffles and hole prizes, the GZO makes for a sensational day on the links!
Scrip Update & Back to School Information
According to our Scrip calendar, this week is the last week of our summer delivery schedule. Starting next week (the week of August 26), we will resume our regular school year schedule of deliveries being sent to all 5 campuses and 3 parishes. If your child has changed campuses and therefore you need your delivery location changed, please take the time to email our RaiseRight coordinator Liz Uhlenbrauck (luhlenbrauck@smcatholicschools.org) so she can update your RaiseRight/Scrip profile.
Bonus Rebate Offered for Kwik Trip - During the month of September, Kwik Trip is offering a 5% bonus on our existing rebates. Regular gas card rebates will go up to 10% and grocery only cards will go up to 20%. This bonus rebate does not include car wash cards. Plan ahead and take advantage of this rebate bonus!
The Spirit Stop is located at the St. Mary Catholic High School Commons, adjacent to the Ralph "Cyclone" McClone Gymnasium. The Spirit Stop will be open for all of your back to school clothing needs on Monday, August 26 from 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM. This is the same day as the high school and middle school orientation. We will also have hours of availability during the school year, and that schedule will be released shortly. The Spirit Stop has a variety of adult-sized clothing, as well as baseball caps, winter beanies, and blankets available for sale. Unfortunately, we do not carry small kids clothing in stock in the store, but we do have several options online. For this and more, be sure to check out our online store here: St. Mary Catholic Schools Online Store | Silly Toast Designs | powered by OrderMyGear (itemorder.com)
Visit the online store frequently, as we will be adding new styles throughout the different seasons. We can't wait to see you sporting your Zephyrs pride!
Becoming a host family for an international student for St. Mary Catholic Schools makes the world smaller and your heart bigger! There is nothing quite like the joy of sharing culture, traditions, and everyday life with a young person from another country. You'll develop relationships that last a lifetime, and your hospitality creates a welcoming environment for a student to absorb the American experience beyond the classroom! To help support room and board, the ABC Education exchange program offers a stipend of $600 per month for a host family, and in addition, you can receive a $2,000 tuition credit for St. Mary Catholic Schools for your own child. To learn more, contact Kelly Beisenstein-Weiss at kbweiss@smcatholicschools.org
